PREPARATION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does preparation mean? 

• PREPARATION (noun)
  The noun PREPARATION has 8 senses:

1. the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

2. a substance prepared according to a formula

3. the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening

4. the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

5. (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord

6. activity leading to skilled behavior

7. preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)

8. the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

  Familiarity information: PREPARATION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREPARATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

preparation; readying

Context example:

preparations for the ceremony had begun

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

fire control (preparation for the delivery of shellfire on a target)

prolusion; tune-up; warm-up (exercising in preparation for strenuous activity)

turnaround; turnround (act or process of unloading and loading and servicing a vessel or aircraft for a return trip)

planning (an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action)

priming (the act of making something ready)

groundwork (preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation)

deployment (the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work)

warm up (performing mild exercises to prepare for some more strenuous activity)

makeready (final preparation and adjustments)

Derivation:

prepare (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A substance prepared according to a formula

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

formulation; preparation

Context example:

the physician prescribed a commercial preparation of the medicine

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

chemical compound; compound ((chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

cleaner; cleanser; cleansing agent (a preparation used in cleaning something)

glycerinated gelatin (a gelatinous preparation made from gelatin and glycerin and water; used as a base for ointments and suppositories)

nebula (a medicinal liquid preparation intended for use in an atomizer)

polish (a preparation used in polishing)

starch (a commercial preparation of starch that is used to stiffen textile fabrics in laundering)

smelling salts (a pungent preparation of ammonium carbonate and perfume; sniffed as a stimulant to relieve faintness)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

planning; preparation; provision

Context example:

his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

cerebration; intellection; mentation; thinking; thought; thought process (the process of using your mind to consider something carefully)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

forethought; premeditation (planning or plotting in advance of acting)

calculation; deliberation (planning something carefully and intentionally)

malice aforethought; mens rea ((law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials)

applecart (the planning that is disrupted when someone 'upsets the applecart')

agreement; arrangement (the thing arranged or agreed to)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

preparation; preparedness; readiness

Context example:

their preparation was more than adequate

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

state (the way something is with respect to its main attributes)

Attribute:

ready (completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress)

unready (not prepared or in a state of readiness; slow to understand or respond)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

ready (poised for action)

alert; qui vive (condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action)

Derivation:

prepare (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)

Sense 5

Meaning:

(music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another dissonance

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

harmony; musical harmony (the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

resolution ((music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord)

Derivation:

prepare (lead up to and soften by sounding the dissonant note in it as a consonant note in the preceding chord)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Activity leading to skilled behavior

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

grooming; preparation; training

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

discipline (training to improve strength or self-control)

toilet training (training a young child to use the toilet)

skull practice; skull session (teaching strategy to an athletic team)

schooling (the training of an animal (especially the training of a horse for dressage))

retraining (training for a new occupation)

military training (training soldiers in military procedures)

drill; exercise; practice; practice session; recitation (systematic training by multiple repetitions)

drill ((military) the training of soldiers to march (as in ceremonial parades) or to perform the manual of arms)

athletic training (the course of practice and exercise and diet undertaken by an athlete)

Derivation:

prepare (create by training and teaching)

prepare (educate for a future role or function)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

homework; prep; preparation

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

school assignment; schoolwork (a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher)

Holonyms ("preparation" is a part of...):

didactics; education; educational activity; instruction; pedagogy; teaching (the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill)

Derivation:

prepare (undergo training or instruction in preparation for a particular role, function, or profession)

Sense 8

Meaning:

The act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

cookery; cooking; preparation

Context example:

he left the preparation of meals to his wife

Hypernyms ("preparation" is a kind of...):

change of state (the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics)

Meronyms (parts of "preparation"):

tenderisation; tenderization (the act of making meat tender by pounding or marinating it)

seasoning (the act of adding a seasoning to food)

Domain member category:

challah; hallah ((Judaism) a loaf of white bread containing eggs and leavened with yeast; often formed into braided loaves and glazed with eggs before baking)

Jewish rye; Jewish rye bread ((Judaism) bread made with rye flour; usually contains caraway seeds)

calamari; calamary; squid ((Italian cuisine) squid prepared as food)

curry ((East Indian cookery) a pungent dish of vegetables or meats flavored with curry powder and usually eaten with rice)

brown sauce; Chinese brown sauce (a sauce based on soy sauce)

caramelise; caramelize (convert to caramel)

caramelise; caramelize (be converted into caramel)

alcoholise; alcoholize (make alcoholic, as by fermenting)

alcoholise; alcoholize (treat or infuse with alcohol)

conserve (preserve with sugar)

pickle (preserve in a pickling liquid)

salt (preserve with salt)

marinade; marinate (soak in marinade)

can; put up; tin (preserve in a can or tin)

brine (soak in brine)

fortify; lace; spike (add alcohol to (beverages))

fortify (add nutrients to)

boil down; concentrate; reduce (cook until very little liquid is left)

boil down; concentrate; decoct; reduce (be cooked until very little liquid is left)

bake (cook and make edible by putting in a hot oven)

ovenbake (bake in an oven)

brown (fry in a pan until it changes color)

coddle (cook in nearly boiling water)

fire (bake in a kiln so as to harden)

farce; stuff (fill with a stuffing while cooking)

baste (cover with liquid before cooking)

souse (cook in a marinade)

micro-cook; microwave; nuke; zap (cook or heat in a microwave oven)

crisp; crispen; toast (make brown and crisp by heating)

shirr (bake (eggs) in their shells until they are set)

blanch; parboil (cook (vegetables) briefly)

overboil (boil excessively)

fricassee (make a fricassee of by cooking)

stew (cook slowly and for a long time in liquid)

jug (stew in an earthenware jug)

simmer (boil slowly at low temperature)

roast (cook with dry heat, usually in an oven)

barbecue; barbeque; cook out (cook outdoors on a barbecue grill)

pan roast (roast in a pan)

braise (cook in liquid)

fry (cook on a hot surface using fat)

frizzle (fry something until it curls and becomes crisp)

deep-fat-fry (fry in deep fat)

griddle (cook on a griddle)

pan-fry (fry in a pan)

deep-fry; french-fry (cook by immersing in fat)

stir fry (fry very quickly over high heat)

saute (fry briefly over high heat)

grill (cook over or under a grill)

hibachi (cook over a hibachi grill)

steam (cook something by letting steam pass over it)

broil; oven broil (cook under a broiler)

pan-broil (broil in a pan)

pressure-cook (cook in a pressure cooker)

bruise (break up into small pieces for food preparation)

blacken; char; scorch; sear (burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color)

render; try (melt (fat or lard) in order to separate out impurities)

splat (split open and flatten for cooking)

clarify (make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating)

dun (cure by salting)

corn (preserve with salt)

filet; fillet (cut into filets)

puree; strain (rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender)

egg (coat with beaten egg)

dredge (cover before cooking)

flour (cover with flour)

crumb (coat with bread crumbs)

truss (tie the wings and legs of a bird before cooking it)

bread (cover with bread crumbs)

mask (cover with a sauce)

dress (put a dressing on)

sauce (dress (food) with a relish)

whip; whisk (whip with or as if with a wire whisk)

cream (make creamy by beating)

beat; scramble (stir vigorously)

churn (stir (cream) vigorously in order to make butter)

rice (sieve so that it becomes the consistency of rice)

frost; ice (decorate with frosting)

butterfly (cut and spread open, as in preparation for cooking)

put on (put on the stove or ready for cooking)

spatchcock (prepare for eating if or as if a spatchcock)

devil (coat or stuff with a spicy paste)

cook (prepare a hot meal)

precook (cook beforehand so that the actual preparation won't take long)

whip up; whomp up (prepare or cook quickly or hastily)

concoct; cook up (prepare or cook by mixing ingredients)

lard (prepare or cook with lard)

flavor; flavour; season (lend flavor to)

curry (season with a mixture of spices; typical of Indian cooking)

spice; spice up; zest (add herbs or spices to)

ginger (add ginger to in order to add flavor)

savor; savour (give taste to)

pepper (add pepper to)

salt (add salt to)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preparation"):

browning; toasting (cooking to a brown crispiness over a fire or on a grill)

baking (cooking by dry heat in an oven)

cuisine; culinary art (the practice or manner of preparing food or the food so prepared)

percolation (the act of making coffee in a percolator)

boiling; simmering; stewing (cooking in a liquid that has been brought to a boil)

roasting (cooking (meat) by dry heat in an oven (usually with fat added))

poaching (cooking in simmering liquid)

braising (cooking slowly in fat in a closed pot with little moisture)

fusion cooking (cooking that combines ingredients and techniques and seasonings from different cuisines)

frying; sauteing (cooking in fat or oil in a pan or griddle)

broil; broiling; grilling (cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill))

Derivation:

prepare (prepare for eating by applying heat)

 Context examples 

Their preparations, however, were stopped short.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

To lay on a substance or preparation.

(Apply, NCI Thesaurus)

Antigen Sensitization is a process of immunization with an antigen preparation that renders an immune-response involving generation of antibodies against the specific antigen(s) injected.

(Antigen Sensitization, NCI Thesaurus)

You have Mars circulating in your twelfth house of preparation, suggesting you are working on a plan that you will be ready to reveal in January.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

A dose calculation unit equal to one thousandth of a gram of a preparation per one kilogram of body mass administered per unit of time equal to one hour.

(Milligram per Kilogram per Hour, NCI Thesaurus)

I should strongly recommend you to make your preparations for your match without reference to this young gentleman.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The preparations of new carriages and furniture might wait for London and spring, when her own taste could have fairer play.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The completion of the preparations for my breakfast, by relieving the fire, gave her such extreme joy that she laughed aloud—and a very unmelodious laugh she had, I must say.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action.

(Alert, NCI Thesaurus)

"Now, Challenger, if you really insist upon being the first man in," said Lord John, when every preparation was complete.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)